Beautiful People

The following photographs were taken over a period of 24 hours. Half of them in Bali, and the other half on Gili Trawangan, an island just off Lombok, Indonesia. I have got over my hang up of asking strangers if I can take their photos. I’ve become quite bold in asking if they would mind posing for me. Indonesians are wonderfully friendly, giving souls and I’m very fortunate to have met so many natural models during my sojourn here. We always have a laugh when I’m taking pictures, and I am conscious that I must try to make it as relaxed as possible. The more confident you can be, the more confident your subject will be. And lastly, make it snappy! Two or three photos max. No one, however sweet natured and patient wants to hang around in front of a strangers lens for long!

Thank you Trish. I’m very lucky to meet such great characters who are kind and generous enough to allow me to take their photographs. It’s a great way to meet people, practice my bahasa indonesia and have a lot of fun at the same time. I hate having my photo taken so I have huge respect and admiration for these guys who seemed so relaxed in front of me. All credit must go to them.

Thank you April. I’m so pleased that you like them. Beautiful people, (and by that I mean those with love and kindness in their hearts) make beautiful photographs regardless of whatever age, colour or creed they may be.

I agree with Andrew. Number one and the last one are the best .Only because the character of the gentleman shows in his eyes. Well actually he was a good subject too. I give you 10 stars on these. They’re that good. B & W is always a winner for me. I like these so much I hope that you will post more portraits. Once a week or whatever if you have the pics.

You have to try to get over that. My advice is strike up a conversation first, have a laugh and if you feel it’s appropriate just ask “Please may I take your photo?’ the worst they can say is NO! I find most people are really thrilled to have their picture taken. Be BOLD Mitzie!

Thank you Steve. I’m pleased that you like them. I wish that I’d taken these with my Hasselblad – WOW! next time I shall bring it out with me and lots of B&W film. That’s a whole different ball game as you know but the results are just stunning if you get it right 😀

Sorry to be SO slow in replying to your comments Susan. The Internet here is a little hit and miss so I’ve only just now got back on-line. Yes, I always send jpegs if people want them and I always show them the photos once I’ve taken them so they can see what they look like. One of the guys above I met earlier this morning and I showed him this blog post, he was thrilled with his picture and asked me to take more of him which I did! I’ll be sending them to him later in an email so he can then print them out.

I shared your post with my mother. Here is her response: What great works of art!…. from the Creator who made the people, to the character and personality in a great variety of faces, to the microcosm of a national people, to the skills and talents of a photographer who captured the amazing plethora of interesting beauty. Thanks for sharing them with me.

The fashion industry has such a narrow definition of beauty. Beauty is not only tall and slim, it is round and wrinkled, old and young, shiny new or deeply weathered. Beautiful–so beautiful, Lottie. Thank you.

You’ve hit the nail on the head Lorijo. I’m thrilled that you like them. There are many faces in Indonesia. It’s quite fascinating to see the differences in look, even from one island to another physical types change and hair which is straight on some islands is curly on others. Balinese have quite broad faces whereas on other islands they have longer, slimmer faces. A wonderful array of beautiful people, young and old. They are a dream to photograph.

I hope you do too! Once you’ve bitten the bullet so to speak, you won’t look back 🙂 It’s all boils down to a matter of confidence, not just from you, but from the person who’s photograph you are taking.

I always think to myself, ‘what is worse? not asking someone if you can take their picture and then regretting it, or, someone saying ‘No! No picture taking!’